For me, using a keyboard to capture all my thoughts is like using a straw to suck up the universe. On an hourly basis, the need to type slows my productivity.

Both my work and personal life require a tremendous amount of communication — emails, presentations, reports, texts. Yet I am slow in communicating for one sole reason: keyboards and the need to type.

Finally, after decades of little help, technology has finally come through.

I am thrilled with the new voice-interaction trend. In 2016, Amazon’s Echo made the transition from a novelty item to a mainstream device with over 5 million devices sold. In 2017, the market exploded. It seems like every major speaker and the majority of consumer electronics companies have now integrated voice-activated digital assistants into their product lines.

In fact, there are now likely over 33 million voice-first devices in circulation.

This new trend is perfect for me and the millions of people who share my typing challenge. Using my voice to interact with the vast universe of technology and content helps level the playing field with the keyboard proficient. I can speak considerably faster than I can type, I can be much more emotive and I do not lose my thoughts because the obstacle of slowing down to type them is removed.

That ease of use makes voice an incredible technology, and it has the potential to change so much. Voice technology has the ability to transform the way we interact with not just traditional technology like digital assistants but also kitchen appliances, our cars and, most importantly, the way we communicate with other people.

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